Faerie Blood [Fae-Hunters #3] Read online

  * * *

  Cobblestone Press

  www.cobblestone-press.com

  Copyright ©2007 by Yolanda Sfetsos

  First published in 2007

  * * *

  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

  * * *

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  Author Bio

  * * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Faerie Blood

  Copyright© 2007 Yolanda Sfetsos

  ISBN: 978-1-60088-169-5

  Cover Artist: Leita Stevens

  Editor: Nancy Baker

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Cobblestone Press, LLC

  www.cobblestone-press.com

  Dedication

  This one's for Eugene.

  Also, the faeries would love to thank Sable Grey and Deanna Lee, for giving them such a wonderful home.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter One

  It took them awhile, but the goblins eventually figured it out. Noticed the barrier that had kept them out of Breena for so long was gone. And it was all her fault. None of the reasons or excuses Mai made on her behalf really mattered. In the end, Shay knew the truth and hated it.

  One by one the goblins wandered into Breena with no real teamwork or plan. There was only one thing they wanted anyway—blood. It didn't make any difference to them how they got it, as long as there were faeries available to slaughter.

  By the time they trickled in, everyone had been secured in the lower chambers of the castle. Well, everyone except for one fae-hunter who refused to cooperate. In a last attempt to encourage her home, Shay ordered every fae-hunter to abandon her assignments in the human world and return to Breena immediately. Or suffer the punishment. Every single one responded ... and returned ... except Miki.

  The fact that Miki was still somewhere in Sydney pursuing her love for a human, when it was once again forbidden, was just another strike against her. Being the queen and leader of the fae-hunters, Shay Lee would have to deal with it accordingly. She'd have to hand out the appropriate punishment. Though, after the vision she'd had only a few days ago, she suspected Miki had already sealed her fate.

  The images of her hair smeared with blood still haunted Shay. She was beginning to understand what Rhiannon meant when she'd said, "I can see your future, and it's not a bright one." The bitch had at least predicted one thing right.

  She shook her head. Right now there were more pressing issues to deal with, without adding more to the list.

  "Is there something wrong?” Glen's voice cut into her thoughts. His presence stirred an immediate response inside her body.

  "Aside from the obvious, you mean? We're about to lead our people into war, Glen. Have you ever taken part in a battle?” She stood in front of their bedroom window inside the castle. With Glen by her side, it was starting to feel like a real bedroom.

  Sunshine streamed into the room. It made the view more breathtaking from this height. All that green below made pride swell up inside her. The castle had cobbled grounds, covering both the inside and the direct surroundings. The cobbled paths continued outward into the green pastures. But just beyond that she could see the urban skyline. Everything fit so perfectly together in Breena, and now it was all at risk.

  Although the majority of their foundations would hold, goblins were destructive by nature and would no doubt ruin whatever they could. That, unfortunately, included faerie spirits.

  In the horizon she spied the first signs of smoke. The bastards were already resorting to fire. It made her sick to the stomach, but she was a warrior. Strong of heart and soul, she'd do whatever it took to get rid of these pests.

  Together, Glen and Shay had already taken the first step toward that.

  "No, I haven't.” Glen stood close behind her now, both hands on her shoulders. His release of warm breath tickled the back of her neck. “But I'm willing to fight for this land ... for you. I know I belong here, and I'm not willing to allow those goblins to take that away from me. Not now that I've found myself and where I truly belong."

  It seemed so long ago that Glen had thought he was just another human living in Sydney. Time hadn't moved as fast as it appeared; he'd just adjusted quickly. A quality she was certain proved he was born to be a leader, the first rightful king to the Breena throne in centuries.

  Shay sighed. Even on the verge of so much despair, Glen could make her forget everything but her strong desire for him.

  He rubbed his hands down the back of her shoulders. Continued down her back until his fingertips caressed the area where her faerie wings sprouted. Almost every thought slipped from her mind at the touch.

  She closed her eyes to the sensations that stirred when her wings disappeared as quickly as her orchid-made clothes. He knew how to make her lose control. Her breasts reacted instantly when Glen kissed the side of her neck with his warm lips.

  Shay made a move to turn around, but he stopped her.

  "No,” Glen whispered near her ear. “Don't move. Let's enjoy some pleasure before we both have to face the unpredictability of war."

  She answered with a low purr in her throat. Making love to this fine faerie was the only way to temporarily forget all her troubles.

  "We are on our honeymoon now..."

  "Yeah, some honeymoon,” she said with a sarcastic chuckle.

  "Don't worry about it. Once this battle's over, we'll lock ourselves in this room for a very long time. I won't be willing to leave until I've satisfied every inch of you.” Glen's fingertips trailed past her waist. Down to her narrow hips, where they paused.

  He was right, after all this madness they would be able to engage in the proper matrimonial ceremonies of the faerie without the secrecy. All they'd had so far was the marriage ritual conducted by the elders. A way to seal their love, commitment and soul to each other but, more importantly, it had decreed the new defense around Breena. This made the battle a little lighter. Only the goblins who had already crossed into Breena would remain inside. The others still on the boundaries were trapped out there, unable to harm the fae people.

  It was Mai who suggested it, and they'd both agreed. It made sense to carry out the ritual to reinstate the defenses around their land.

  Now Shay felt as if she were holding her breath, unable to let it out until this mess was cleaned up.

  "You're finally my wife, Shay. And I intend to do whatever it takes to keep you happy,” Glen said as he wrapped his arms around her. He nestled his chin against her shoulder, arms so tight around her she felt as if they were one. His heart beat against her back, and it matched the rhythm of hers. They were united as one, and there was nothing she'd wanted more in this world.

  "I'm already happy. I'm finally going to make love to you under the light of the sun."

  "Yes, you are.” His lips were warm against her skin as they left a path of kisses down the side of her neck. His palms held her aching breasts, rubbed them until her breath came out in spurts.

  The heat between her legs intensified. No matter how many times they joined, it was never enough. If anything, the more they were together, the more she wanted him.

  His erection pressed tight against her spine, and she molded her body into his. Glen moaned in her ear as he licked her earlobe and followed it up to the very sensitive tips.

  "I'm so glad you're back with me.” Shay closed her eyes to every bit of awareness he roused. She enjoyed the way the sun warmed her face. When she opened them again, Shay's eyes widened at the way his skin glowed. The sun loved her Glen and kissed his hair and skin whenever it had the chance. Now the natural light made him shine.

  "I'll never let you go.” His palms spread over her breasts, fingers squeezed her tight nipples. Inside his soft grip, the touch sent a multitude of goose bumps down her body.

  His hands trailed down her front, along her abdomen and paused just between her legs as he arched against her. She silently begged him to move lower, but he didn't. Glen held her tight, breathing heavily into her ear as he took her hands in his and placed them on the window sill in front of her.

  She leaned forward a little.

  He pressed his body closer.

  Glen's firm chest pressed tight against her wings’ spot, rubbed the skin where they usually sprouted. The action rocked her as ecstasy teased her body into a frenzied reaction. Shay was breathless as pleasure filled every available space within her. No one had ever made her climax by a simple touch to that sensitive spot on the back of her shoulders. Though she did know that faeries could experience an orgasm if rubbed
the right way and wondered where he'd learned the trick.

  Shay panted. The prickling buzzed through her system, and a bout of faerie dust escaped her.

  Glen spread her legs a little wider. His fingers delved inside her long enough to arouse her further. He slipped them out seconds before the shock of his erection pressed between her legs. She accommodated the act by leaning forward. He penetrated inside her so deep she gasped again.

  "Oh my..."

  "It feels so good, Shay. It always feels amazing with you."

  She nodded. His fingers found the curls of hair between her legs and caressed them. Glen plunged in and out of her in slow, thorough movements as his long fingers found her clitoris. She opened her legs a little more to encourage his fingers to tease her with each of his thrusts.

  "Everything about you is so perfect,” he mumbled near her ear. “I want to spend an eternity doing this with you."

  Nothing like the promise of forever to get her just that little closer to falling over the edge...

  Between his fingers and every new push he delivered behind her, Shay knew it was just a matter of seconds before climax blessed her again.

  She took a deep breath and released it slowly. The orgasm that struck her reached maximum potential. Dust sprinkled from her pores in torrents that coated her arms.

  Her eyes were narrowed but focused on the beauty of her home. It lay sprawled out below and spread for miles. Now that she was with Glen, she'd actively help keep it safe from harm. Shay wouldn't make another mistake like the one that set Breena into this course of war. She'd made one blunder and allowed love between the faeries to be legal again. It was the reason the protection around their land had been compromised.

  She struggled to suck in enough breath after such a fulfilling orgasm. Every bit of her skin felt so alive, buzzed and sizzled along her body. Her legs felt light and shaky, but his hold on her was firm.

  "Keep it going,” Glen encouraged as his fingers remained between her legs without movement. He pulled out a little, before he plunged back inside her with more force. He repeated the motion several times before his fingers caressed her again.

  Just when she thought it wouldn't be possible, Shay screamed at the top of her lungs. The release was so violent she almost lost her balance. Glen was there to wrap his arms around her, wedged so deep inside her that her climax continued long after it started.

  He shuddered behind her with his own release and held her tight to his chest.

  The last of her dust spread outward in tiny spurts that roused goose bumps. She watched it rain around them in vibrant colors that sparkled in the sun.

  A knock at the door reminded her that there was still an outside world. For a while, she'd forgotten there was anything else but the pleasure her husband ignited within her. Her husband, it sounded so strange. A secret shared among a select few, until it was time.

  "Is everything okay in there, my king and queen?"

  She cleared her throat, sure that her voice would betray her.

  "Everything's fine, thank you for checking,” Glen called with his arms still tight around her.

  "My pleasure."

  Shay recognized the voice as Beun, one of their guards.

  "No, it was my pleasure.” Glen's laughter tickled her skin and warmed away the tiny goose bumps on her skin. That melodic voice never ceased to amaze her. And still within the clutches of passion, it made her happy.

  "Oh no, the pleasure was all mine,” she added with a giggle of her own.

  "Shay, I never thought it was possible to love someone the way I love you."

  "You know I feel the same way about you, right?"

  "It's a shame that this blissful moment will be followed by something as bleak as what we're about to face.” The regret in his voice made her heart speed up. She wished they hadn't had to face such a dire situation so early in their relationship. So soon after his discovery of who he really was.

  "Yeah, it is. But with the promise of more of this to come, I think it's enough motivation to get out there and kick some major goblin ass!” Better to stay positive, she thought.

  "You're so feisty, I love it."

  "Glen...” She lowered her voice as she made a move to loosen from his grip.

  He kept her firm, still inside her. “No, please, I want to stay inside you as long as I can. When we're out there, I want to remember this fragment in time."

  She released a breath. “That's what I wanted to speak to you about. It's not too late for you to pull out of taking part in the actual battle."

  His grip slackened. “Shay, I'm not going to go back on my word."

  "The people of Breena will understand—"

  "They'll understand that their king is a wimp who goes back on his word? I announced that I would be on the frontline with all those witnesses downstairs the other night, and I intend to deliver.” He paused to sigh near her shoulder. “I want them to understand that I'll be the kind of leader who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to keep this land safe and, at the moment, that means squashing these goblins."

  "You've already done that. I've never seen the fae adapt to one of our lost ones as well as they did with you. Then again, none before you was a destined king,” she said with a low chuckle. She really didn't want to be having this conversation, not after the wonderful lovemaking they'd just indulged in.

  Glen kissed her shoulder. “Shay, I know that you're concerned about me ... but you don't need to be. The elders have made me aware of the many talents I have access to. I won't let you down."

  "That's not what I'm worried about."

  "Then there's no reason for you to worry."

  She turned slightly to look over her shoulder. His green eyes were bright as they met hers. So much love emanated from that one look that her heart ignited with passion. They would make it out of this ordeal. She would do whatever it took to ensure that outcome.

  Shay swiveled her head far enough to kiss him.

  Glen closed the distance with a soft touch of his lips. He took a small step back, his hands on her hips to help her keep her balance. He slipped out from between her legs.

  "Actually, there is one thing for you to worry about,” he said with a smirk, as she turned to face him.

  "Oh yeah, what's that?"

  "We're not heading out until tomorrow. So I'm afraid that I'm not going to let you out of this bedroom until then.” Glen had her up and off the floor within seconds. He carried her over to the bed and laid her down gently.

  "Now, this is something worth worrying about,” she said with a wink. He was right. At the moment, everything else could wait a little longer.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Two

  Shay held the sword tight in her right hand. The weight of its stone surface was cold against her palm, but comforting. The vines slithered around her hand and wrist to give the weapon an even tighter grip. She swung it with both hands wrapped around the hilt. A slice to the right, a cut to the left, and the head rolled off the goblin's shoulders.

  Yellow blood stained the tip of her weapon, but there wasn't enough time to wipe it. She kicked the headless body and didn't wait for it to hit the ground before she'd already spun around in a semicircle. Her sword cut the air in front of her. Another goblin fell to the grass, with insides spilling between the dirty clothes he wore.

  A puddle of sticky blood collected at her feet.

  "Leave some for the rest of us, too, Shay,” Glen said with a smirk. He stood only a few steps to her side, holding his own sword. Several fae-hunters surrounded him. She'd given them specific orders to shadow him the whole time they were out here. Their guards Beun and Gordo were situated at front and back of the group.

  "Are you kidding? If I see them, they're gone. I didn't realize it would be this easy to take these suckers out.” Her heart beat wildly, but her confidence was boosted after the kills. She didn't particularly enjoy having their blood on her hands, but this was a dire situation of survival. Survival of the fittest would be the only way to ensure Breena remained theirs and wasn't made into a playground of invasion ploys for other creatures. Goblins loved to drink their blood, but there were other things out there, too. Beyond the frontiers of their land were many calculating creatures that would desire much more than just blood.